Non-M, non-O HIV-1 strains, fragments and uses

ABSTRACT

Retroviral strains of the non-M, non-O HIV-1 group, in particular a strain designated YBF30, its fragments and also its uses as a diagnostic reagent and as an immunogenic agent. 
     The HIV-1 viruses which differ both from the M group and the O group exhibit the following characteristics:
         little or no serological reactivity with regard to the proteins of the M and O groups and strong serological reactivity with regard to the proteins which are derived from the strain YBF30 according to the invention or the strain CPZGAB SIV;   absence of genomic amplification when using primers from the env and gag regions of the M and O HIV-1 groups;   genomic amplification in the presence of primers which are derived from the YBF30 strain according to the invention; and   homology of the products of the envelope gene which is greater than 70% with regard to the YBF30 strain.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/226,240, filed Sep. 15, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,534,877, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/301,661, filed Nov. 22, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,030,234, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/319,588, filed Aug. 27, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,509,018, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/FR97/02227, filed Dec. 8, 1997, which claims priority to France Application No. 96/15087 filed Dec. 9, 1996, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present invention relates to retroviral strains of the non-M, non-O HIV-1 group, in particular a strain designated YBF30, to its fragments and to its uses as a diagnostic reagent and as an immunogenic agent.

The human acquired immunodeficiency viruses HIV-1 and HIV-2 are retrolentiviruses, which are viruses found in a large number of African primates. All these viruses appear to have a common ancestor; however, it is very difficult to prejudge the period at which these different viruses became separated from this precursor. Other viruses which are more distant, but which nevertheless belong to the same group, are found in other mammals (ungulates and felines).

All these viruses are associated with long infections; an absence of symptoms is the rule in monkeys which are infected naturally.

While the origin of HIV-2 appears to be clear on account of its strong homology with the Sooty Mangabey (West Africa) virus, no virus which is closely related to HIV-1 has been found in monkeys. The most closely related viruses are viruses found in two chimpanzees (CPZGAB SIV, ANT SIV).

All the lentiviruses have been found to exhibit substantial genetic variability, and the phylogenetic study of these variants, obtained from a large number of different geographic locations, has enabled 8 subtypes (clades) of HIV-1 to be distinguished, all of which are equidistant from each other. The clades are only a mathematical representation of the expression of the variability: phenetic analysis, which is based on the amino acids rather than on the nucleic acids, gives different results (Korber et al., 1994).

The demonstration of subtypes is in accord with a phylogenetic analysis which does not, to date, have any pathophysiological correlation but, instead, a geographical correspondence. This is because each subtype is mainly found in a particular geographical area. The B subtype is predominant in Europe and the United States whereas two subtypes, i.e. E and B, are found in Thailand and there is a strong correlation between the mode of transmission which, in actual fact, corresponds to a particular population and the subtype found. All the clades have been found in Africa and their distribution across the rest of the world reflects a probability of encounter between persons indulging in high-risk behaviour. The main clade, which is the main one because it is present in substantial proportions in Africa, is clade A. A very great degree of variability has been found in some African countries (G. Myers, 1994; P. M. Sharp et al., 1994). Several subtypes have been characterized in the western central African countries such as the Central African Republic (Murphy et al., 1993) and Cameroon (Nkengasong et al., 1994).

Finally, patients have been characterized who are carriers of viral variants of HIV-1, whose sera have posed detection problems for particular kits which are sold on the French market and whose confirmatory Western blots have been atypical (Loussert-Ajaka et al., 1994; Simon et al., 1994; PCT International Application WO 96/27013).

Analysis of these variants has confirmed the fact that the type 1 HIV viruses should be subdivided into two groups, i.e. the M (major) group and an O (outlier) group, which includes these isolates, as Charneau et al., 1994 had proposed. Analysis of the synonymous mutations/non-synonymous mutations ratio carried out on the sequences of the known O group viruses indicates that this new group is also ancient, even if no more ancient than the M group (Loussert-Ajaka et al., 1995). Its low prevalence to date, i.e. 8% of patients infected with HIV-1 in Cameroon (Zekeng et al., 1994) and 18 cases characterized in France, is thought to be due to factors which are purely epidemiological.

These two groups of HIV-1 form a tree which is in the shape of a double star (FIGS. 9 to 19). Two isolates, i.e. CPZGAB SIV, characterized from a chimpanzee from Gabon (Huet et al., 1990) and CPZANT SIV, characterized from a chimpanzee in the Antwerp Zoo, possess sequences and genetic organizations which are very closely related to HIV-1 but which do not fall within either of these two groups and form two new branches on the phylogenetic tree.

The demonstration of new variants is important for developing sufficiently sensitive and specific reagents for detecting HIV infections, that is to say reagents which do not lead to false-negative or false-positive results, and for developing compositions which are protective in regard to subtypes which do not belong either to the M group or to the O group.

Consequently, the applicant has set itself the objective of providing a non-M, non-O strain, as well as sequences derived from this strain, which are suitable for detecting non-M and non-O HIV-1 variants and which do not lead to false-negative or false-positive results being obtained. In order to do this, the inventors have, in particular, established an algorithm for differentiating between, and confirming, group M and group O HIV-1 infections, thereby enabling them to select non-M, non-O variants.

The present invention relates to a non-M, non-O HIV-1 strain which exhibits the morphological and immunological characteristics of the retrovirus which was deposited on 2 Jul. 1996 under number 1-1753 (designated YBF30) in the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes (National Collection of Microorganism Cultures, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15), kept by the Pasteur Institute.

A non-M, non-O variant is understood as meaning a type 1 HIV which cannot serologically and molecularly be recognized as belonging to either of these groups.

The present invention also relates to the complete nucleotide sequence of the strain as defined above (SEQ ID NO: 1) as well as to nucleic acid fragments which are at least 10 nucleotides in size and which are derived from the said strain.

Fragments of this type which may be mentioned are:

-   -   YBF 30 LTR (SEQ ID NO: 2),     -   YBF 30 GAG (SEQ ID NO: 3) (gag gene),     -   YBF 30 POL (SEQ ID NO: 5) (pol gene),     -   YBF 30 VIF (SEQ ID NO: 7) (vif gene),     -   YBF 30 VPR (SEQ ID NO: 9) (vpr gene),     -   YBF 30 VPU (SEQ ID NO: 11) (vpu gene),     -   YBF 30 TAT (SEQ ID NO: 13) (tat gene),     -   YBF 30 REV (SEQ ID NO: 15) (rev gene),     -   YBF 30 ENV gp160 (SEQ ID NO: 17) (env gene),     -   YBF 30 NEF (SEQ ID NO: 19) (nef gene),     -   the SEQ ID NOs: 21-57, also designated, respectively, YLG,         LPBS.1, GAG Y AS1.1, GAG Y AS1, GAG 6, GAG Y S1, GAG Y S1.1, GAG         Y S1.2, YRT AS1.3, YRT AS1.2, YRT AS1.1, YRT 2, YRT AS1, YRT         2.1, YRT 2.2, YRT 2.3, YRT 2.4, 4481-1, 4481-2, 4235.1, 4235.2,         4235.3, 4235.4, SK69.6, SK69.5, SK69.4, SK69.3, SK69.2, SK69.1,         SK68.1, SK68.2, SK68.3, LSI AS1.3, LSI AS1.2, LSI AS1.1, LSI A1,         YLPA, as well as any sequence which is not identical to one of         the above nucleotide sequences or is not complementary to one of         these sequences but is nevertheless capable of hybridizing         specifically with a nucleic acid sequence derived from a non-M,         non-O HIV-1 virus.

Such sequences can be used in the specific identification of a non-M, non-O HIV-1, and as diagnostic reagents, either alone or pooled with other reagents, for the differential identification of any HIV-1.

These sequences may, in particular, be employed in diagnostic tests which comprise either a direct hybridization with the viral sequence to be detected or an amplification of the said viral sequence, with these tests using, as primers or as probes, an oligonucleotide which comprises at least 10 nucleotides and which is included in any one of the above sequences, in particular one of the above-mentioned sequences, SEQ ID NOs: 21-57.

The present invention also relates to HIV-1 viruses which are characterized in that they differ both from the M group and from the O group and exhibit the following characteristics:

-   -   little or no serological reactivity with regard to proteins of         the M and O groups and strong serological reactivity with regard         to proteins which are derived from the YBF30 strain or the         CPZGAB SIV strain;     -   absence of genomic amplification when using primers from the env         and gag regions of HIV-1 viruses of the M and O groups;     -   genomic amplification in the presence of primers which are         derived from the YBF30 strain, as defined above; and     -   homology of the products of the envelope gene which is >70% with         regard to the YBF30 strain.

The invention also relates to the use of the above described sequences for implementing a method of hybridization and/or of gene amplification of nucleic acid sequences of the HIV-1 type, with these methods being applicable to the in-vitro diagnosis of the potential infection of an individual with a virus of the non-M, non-O HIV-1 type.

This in-vitro diagnostic method is carried out using a biological sample (serum or circulating lymphocyte) and comprises:

-   -   a step of extracting the nucleic acid which is to be detected         and which belongs to the genome of the virus, which virus may         possibly be present in the biological sample, and, where         appropriate, a step of treating the nucleic acid using a reverse         transcriptase, if this nucleic acid is in RNA form,     -   at least one cycle comprising the steps of denaturing the         nucleic acid, of hybridizing with at least one sequence in         accordance with the invention and, where appropriate, extending         the hybrid, which has been formed, in the presence of suitable         reagents (polymerizing agent, such as DNA polymerase and dNTP),         and     -   a step of detecting the possible presence of the nucleic acid         belonging to the genome of a virus of the non-M, non-O HIV-1         group type.

The following conditions are employed for the PCR using the primers derived from the YBF30 strain:

-   -   extracting the lymphocytic DNA by means of the phenol/chloroform         technique and quantifying it by spectrophotometry at a         wavelength of 260 nm. All the amplifications are carried out         using a Perkin Elmer 2400 thermocycler.     -   the long (9 kb) PCRs are carried out using an XL PCR kit (Perkin         Elmer) in accordance with the manufacturer's conditions and         using the dNTP's, the buffers provided and Perkin Elmer's “hot         start”; the amplification cycles of this long PCR are:     -   1 cycle of denaturation for 2 minutes at 94° C.,     -   then 16 cycles: 15 seconds at 94° C., 15 seconds at 55° C., 8         minutes at 68° C.,     -   then 24 cycles: 15 seconds at 94° C., 15 seconds at 55° C., 8         minutes at 68° C., adding a further 15 seconds (incrementation)         to each cycle.     -   the nested PCRs are carried out on the amplification products of         the long PCRs. The conditions for carrying out the nested PCRs         are as follows:     -   “Expand High Fidelity PCR System” Taq polymerase buffer and         enzyme from Boehringer Mannheim in accordance with the         manufacturer's instructions, dNTP and “hot start” from Perkin         Elmer,     -   200 μmol of each dNTP, 20 pmol of each primer in accordance with         the invention, 5 μl of DNA, 10 μl of 10×PCR buffer and 2.6 units         of Taq polymerase in a volume of 100 μl,     -   amplification: one cycle of 2 minutes at 94° C. followed by 38         cycles: 15 seconds at 94° C., 15 seconds at 55° C., a time of         elongation at 72° C. which varies in accordance with the size of         the PCR product to be amplified (from 30 seconds to 2 minutes)         and a final elongation cycle of 10 minutes at 72° C.

The amplified product is preferably detected by direct sequencing.

The invention also relates to a peptide or a peptide fragment which is characterized in that it can be expressed by a non-M, non-O HIV-1 strain or using a nucleotide sequence as defined above, and in that it is capable: (1) of being recognized by antibodies which are induced by a non-M, non-O HIV-1 virus, as defined above, in particular the YBF30 strain or a variant of this strain, and which are present in a biological sample which is obtained following an infection with a non-M, non-O HIV-1 strain, and/or (2) of inducing the production of anti-non-M, non-O HIV-1 antibodies.

Peptides of this type which may be mentioned are, in particular, those which are derived from the YBF30 strain, in particular: that which is expressed by the gag gene (SEQ ID NO: 4), that which is expressed by the pol gene (SEQ ID NO: 6), that which is expressed by the vif gene (SEQ ID NO: 8), that which is expressed by the vpr gene (SEQ ID NO: 10), that which is expressed by the vpu gene (SEQ ID NO: 12), that which is expressed by the tat gene (SEQ ID NO: 14), that which is expressed by the rev gene (SEQ ID NO: 16), that which is expressed by the env gene (SEQ ID NO: 18), or one of its fragments such as a fragment of the V3 loop region, i.e. CTRPGNNTGGQVQIGPAMTFYNIEKIVGDIRQAYC (SEQ ID NO: 58), and that which is expressed by the nef gene (SEQ ID NO: 20), or a fragment of these peptides which are capable of recognizing the antibodies which are produced during an infection with a non-M, non-O HIV-1 as defined above.

The invention also relates to immunogenic compositions which comprise one or more translation products of the nucleotide sequences according to the invention and/or one of the peptides as defined above, obtained, in particular, by synthetic means.

The invention also relates to the antibodies which are directed against one or more of the above-described peptides and to their use for implementing methods for the in-vitro, in particular differential, diagnosis of the infection of an individual with a virus of the HIV-1 type using methods which are known to the skilled person.

The present invention encompasses all the peptides which are capable of being recognized by antibodies which are isolated from an infectious serum which is obtained after an infection with a non-M, non-O HIV-1 strain, and the peptides which are capable of being recognized by an antibody according to the invention.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for the in-vitro diagnosis of a non-M, non-O HIV-1 virus, which method is characterized in that it comprises bringing a biological sample, which has been taken from a patient, into contact with antibodies according to claim 10, which may possibly be combined with anti-CPZGAB SIV antibodies, and detecting the immunological complexes which are formed between the HIV-1 antigens, which may possibly be present in the biological sample, and the said antibodies.

The invention also relates to a kit for diagnosing HIV-1, which kit is characterized in that it includes at least one reagent according to the invention.

Apart from the provisions which have been described above, the invention also comprises other provisions which will be evident from the description which follows and which refers to examples of implementing the method which is the subject of the present invention and also to the attached drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate the location of the different primers on the genome of the YBF30 strain (SEQ ID NOs: 21-57 are listed from the top to the bottom of FIG. 1);

FIG. 8 illustrates the genomic organization of the YBF30 strain;

FIGS. 9 to 16 depict the phylogenetic analysis of the different genes of the YBF30 strain as compared with group M HIV-1 and group O HIV-1 (FIG. 9: ltr gene, FIG. 10: gag gene, FIG. 11: tat gene, FIG. 12: rev gene, FIG. 13: vif gene, FIG. 14: env gp120 gene, FIG. 15: env gp41 gene, FIG. 16: nef gene, FIG. 17: pol gene, FIG. 18: vpr gene, FIG. 19: vpu gene);

FIG. 20 illustrates the percentage genetic distance between YBF30 and HIV-1/CPZGAB SIV.

It should of course be understood, however, that these examples are given solely by way of illustrating the subject-matter of the invention, of which they in no way constitute a limitation.

EXAMPLE Obtaining a Non-M, Non-O HIV-1 Variant According to the Invention (YBF30) and its Uses

This was, in particular, possible in connection with studying the epidemiology of infection with human acquired immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) in Cameroon, which epidemiology is especially paradoxical. In this country, the diversity of the strains is remarkable as most of the subtypes of the M (major) group of HIV-1 viruses known to date have been reported. Cases of infection with highly divergent HIV-1 viruses of the O group (O for outlier) have been reported, almost exclusively in patients of Cameroonian origin. Cases of infection with HIV-2, HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 subtypes A and B have also been reported.

Taking as a basis the results of previous serological and genotypic assessments, the inventors established an algorithm for differentiating between and confirming infections with HIV-1 viruses of the M and O groups in order to select non-M, non-O variants.

These methods were applied to samples which were sent to the National Reference Laboratory for HIV infections at Yaoundé and made it possible to characterize a highly divergent HIV isolate and to define the tools for characterizing a new HIV-1 group, taking into account the homologies which were observed between this human strain YBF30 and the simian strain CPZGAB SIV.

I—Way of Serologically Characterizing the YBF30 Variant During the Epidemiological Study.

1) Collecting the Samples:

All the adult patient sera which were sent to the Yaoundé reference laboratory in 1994 and 1995 for detecting or confirming an HIV infection were studied (n=8831).

2) Differentiating Serologically Between Group M and Group O HIV-1, and Selecting Variants:

If there was positive detection of anti-HIV antibodies (Génélavia Mixt indirect mixed HIV-1 and HIV-2 EIA, Sanofi-Pasteur, Paris, France), this was then combined with an EIA test based on the principle of competition with a specific antigen of the M group (Wellcozyme Rec HIV-1, Murex, Dartford, UK).

If the competitive Wellcozyme Rec HIV-1 test is positive, with a ratio for the reactivity in optical density (OD) as compared with the threshold or cut-off (CO) value which is greater than 5 (CO/OD>5), the serum is regarded as being HIV-1-positive, a result which should be confirmed on a new sample.

The choice of a reactivity ratio which is greater than 5 for regarding the competitive test as being a test for confirming infection with HIV-1 is based on experience acquired by the virology laboratory of Bichat hospital: all of 7200 samples which reacted with a ratio>5 gave a strongly positive HIV-1 Western blot (WB, New Lav Blot 1, SDP, Marnes la Coquette). Apart from cases of HIV-1 seroconversion, the samples which are confirmed as being HIV-positive and which give a Wellcozyme ratio of <5 correspond either to infections with HIV-2 or to infections with O group HIV-1 or other HIV-1 variants.

In order to eliminate the false-positive reactions when carrying out a mixed EIA detection, the samples which give a CO/OD ratio of <5 are tested systematically with a third generation mixed HIV-1/HIV-2 EIA (Enzygnost Plus, Marburg, Germany) which includes antigens of the M and O HIV-1 groups (recombinant gp41 of the MVP5180 strain). If this test is positive, a rapid test which discriminates between HIV-1 and HIV-2 (Multispot, SDP, Marnes la Coquette) and a Western blot (WB, New Lav Blot 1 or 2, SDP) are then carried out.

3) Serologically Confirming Infections with O Group HIV-1 and HIV-1 Variants.

All the samples which give a CO/OD ratio of <5, and which have been differentiated as being positive by WB (positivity criteria: 2 ENV+/−POL+/−GAG or 1 ENV+POL+/−GAG) and HIV-1, are tested with a dot blot test using peptide antigens of the V3 and transmembrane regions (InnoLia, Innogenetics, Ghent, Belgium).

4) Retroviral Isolation of the Group O and Variant Strains.

The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the seropositive patients were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient in Cameroon and then stored, and transported to Paris, in liquid nitrogen.

After thawing, the PBMCs from the patients were cocultured together with lymphocytes from seronegative Caucasian donors. Viral replication in the culture supernatants was demonstrated by detecting reverse transcriptase activity and by carrying out tests for detecting the p24 antigen (Elavia p24 polyclonal, SDP) over a period of one month.

5) Sequences:

The PCR products are visualized on agarose gels of from 1 to 1.4% concentration, depending on the size of the fragments, precipitated in 3M sodium acetate (1:10) and 3 volumes of absolute ethanol, incubated at −80° C. for 30 minutes and then centrifuged at 13,000 rpm for 20 minutes. The pellet is dried and then taken up in 10 μl of distilled water (Sigma). Purification is carried out on a “Qiaquick Gel Extraction kit” (Qiagen) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions; the products are sequenced on an automated DNA sequencer (Applied Biosystems, Inc., Foster City, Calif.) using an Applied Biosystem Dye Terminator kit, as previously described (Loussert-Ajaka et al., 1995); the nucleotide sequences are analysed on Sequence Navigator software (Applied Biosystems), and aligned using GeneWorks software (Intelligenetics Inc.).

6) Phylogenetic Analyses:

The sequences were aligned using the CLUSTAL software for multiple alignments and taking, as the reference matrix, the alignments of the compilation of HIV sequences possessed by the Laboratory of Biology and Theoretical Biophysics, Los Alamos, N. Mex., 87545 USA.

The phylogenetic analyses were performed using the PHYLIP software; the distances were firstly calculated using DNADIST, after which the phylogenetic analysis was carried out using NEIGBOR JOINING or FITCH; finally, the trees were drawn using DRAWTREE (FIGS. 9 to 19). The genetic distance percentages are also shown in FIG. 20.

SEQBOOT was first of all used for the “bootstrapping” analyses, followed by DNADIST and NEIGHBOR JOINING or FITCH. Finally, the bootstrap values were obtained using CONSENS.

II—Results of the Investigation for Detecting Group O and Variant HIV Viruses:

174 samples, out of 3193 samples found to be positive in the screening, were regarded as being group O or group M with abnormal serological reactivity or as being variants.

III—Detection of a Non-Group O and Non-Group M Sample Exhibiting Abnormal Serological Reactivity

The 174 sera which were HIV-1-positive by WB (Western blot), but reactive with a CO/OD ratio of <5 in the competitive EIA, were tested by differential LIA dot blot on the V3 peptides from group M, group O and CPZGAB SIV:

-   -   7 do not react with any of the peptides represented (M, O or         CPZGAB SIV). The absence of any cell collection does not allow         any conclusion to be drawn.     -   82 give a reactivity with regard to at least one of the peptides         corresponding to the V3 loop of O group strains. The frequency         of the crossreactions is low and restricted to the epitopes         which correspond to the consensus V3 regions (11%) and to the         CPZGAB SIV V3 regions (43%).     -   84 sera do not react with the O group epitopes. Most of these         samples were obtained from patients exhibiting an AIDS syndrome         (75/84).     -   one serum, which was taken from a Cameroonian patient (NJ)         reacts exclusively with the CPZGAB SIV peptide. This isolated         reactivity with regard to a CPZGAB SIV antigen has never been         described previously. Since lymphocytes had been collected from         the patient, it was possible to continue with the virological         characterization of this strain, which was termed YBF30.         IV—Results of the Serological and Virological Examinations         Performed on the First Samples Taken from this Patient         (May 1995) (Serum No.: 95-6295):

1) Commercial ELISA Tests (Optical Density/Threshold Value)

Criterion of positivity: OD/CO>1

Génélavia=>15

Wellcozyme CO/OD=1.55

Abbott Plus=>15

Behring Plus=4.2

2) Western Blot

New Lav 1 Pasteur WB:

160++, 120++, 68++, 55+, 41+, 40+/−, 34++, 24++, 18+

3) Innogenetics LIA Dot Blot

Negative for all the group O and group M bands apart from CPZGAB SIV V3

4) Results of the Investigative Serological Examinations Carried Out on Peptides which are Specific for the M and O Groups

-   -   The technique developed by Professor Francis Barin of the         Virology Laboratory of the Tours CHU was modified (Barin F. et         al., 1996); use was made of synthesized transmembrane region         peptides (BioMérieux) for developing a test for differentiating         between the M and O groups. This technique is based on         antibody-binding competition between the transmembrane gp41         peptides of the O and M groups, which are deposited on the solid         phase, and gp41 transmembrane peptides either of the O group or         of the M group at higher concentration in a hyperosmolar liquid         reaction phase. The results are shown in Table I below, in which         the CP well corresponds to the 100% inhibition control and the         CSP well corresponds to the 0% inhibition control.

TABLE I Results of the inter-group O-group M differentiations for the 6295 serum gp41 M gp41 O CP CSP 6295 0.25 0.36 0.12 1.98

These results demonstrate that there is strong binding with regard to the peptides of the solid phase (CSP) and a marked inhibition due to the combined addition of the M and O peptides (CP), but no clear differentiation either by the M peptide or by the O peptide. This is, therefore, serological evidence that the infecting strain does not belong either to the M group or to the O group.

-   -   In view of an isolated reactivity in the InnoLia dot blot with         regard to the CPZGAB SIV V3 antigens, on the same bases of         competition between peptides, this serum was studied by bringing         into competition the gp41 M, gp41 O and gp41 CPZGAB SIV         peptides.

Use of the serum from the chimpanzee named ‘Amandine’ (donated by M. Peeters, who isolated the CPZGAB SIV strain, AIDS 1992) initially enabled this technique to be validated. In Table II, the lowest values (OD) indicate the highest degree of binding to the antigens.

TABLE II Results of the inter-group O-group M-CPZGAB SIV differentiations using the Amandine chimpanzee serum and the 6295 serum gp41 gp41 M gp41 O CPZGAB CP CSP Amandine 0.8 1.4 0.3 0.5 1.9 6295 0.7 1.1 0.7 0.4 2.1

The reactivity of the “Amandine” serum confirms and validates the test according to the invention and shows that, while the serum of the patient reacts identically with regard to the M and CPZGAB SIV peptides, it does not exhibit a crossreaction with the O peptide.

These results demonstrate that the group M gp41 and CPZGAB SIV gp41 peptides exert a similar inhibition on the serum of the patient. The antigens of the infecting strain have therefore given rise to antibodies which recognize the group M and CPZGAB SIV gp41 peptides in a similar manner.

4) Results Obtained from the Lymphocyte Isolation (Sampling of May 1995)

A retrovirus was isolated, using standard techniques, from the lymphocytes which were sampled on 22 May 1995. Culture using the MT2 cell line shows that the YBF30 strain does not form any syncytia (NSI).

V—Results of the Serological Examinations Carried Out on the Second Blood Sample (November 1995) (Serum No. 95-3371)

1) Innogenetics LIA Dot Blot

Negative for all the bands, apart from CPZGAB SIV V3

2) Results of the Investigative Serological Examinations Carried Out on the Peptides Specific for the M and O Groups.

Table III shows the results of the inter-group O-group M-CPZGAB SIV gp41 differentiations using the 3371 serum.

TABLE III Results of the inter-group O-group M-CPZGAB SIV gp41 differentiations using the 3371 serum gp41 M gp41 O gp41 CPZGAB CP CSP 3371 1.31 1.7 0.89 0.54 2.02

These results confirm, on this new blood sample (taken from the same patient in the terminal stage of the disease), that the CPZGAB SIV gp41 peptide markedly inhibits the serum of the patient.

The antigens of the infecting strain have therefore induced antibodies which preferentially recognize the CPZGAB SIV gp41 peptide.

3) Results from the Lymphocyte Isolation (Blood Sampling of November 95 (95-3371-YBF31))

A retrovirus was isolated, using the standard techniques, from the lymphocytes which were sampled in November 1995 and termed YBF31; the sequence elements are identical to those of YBF30.

VI—Genomic Amplification and Sequences of YBF30

The DNA for all the PCR manipulations is extracted from the cells obtained at the end of a positive culture.

The PCRs carried out using the O group HIV-1 primers are negative in the different regions tested (gag, pol, env). Similarly, those carried out using the primers which are specific for M group HIV-1 are also negative.

The amplification and hybridization conditions for the O group PCRs are those described in Loussert-Ajaka, 1995. The amplification and hybridization conditions for the M group PCRs are those described by the authors cited below.

These M group primers are located in accordance with the HIV-1 HXB2 sequence as follows:

-   -   in env gp120: ED3/ED12 (position 5956-5985; 7822-7792); ED5/ED14         (6556-6581; 7960-7931); ED5/ED12; ED3/ED14; ES7/ES8 (7001-7020;         7667-7647) (Delwart et al. Science 1993; 262: 1257-1261).     -   in env gp41: first PCR, ED3/M29, followed by a nested PCR,         M28/M29 (7785-7808; 8099-8124); M28/M29 have the following         sequences:         M28: CGGTTCTT(AG)GGAGCAGC(ACT)GGAAGCA (SEQ ID NO: 99)         M29: T(CT)T(ACGT)TCCCA(CT)T(AT)(CT)A(AGT)CCA(AGT)GTCAT (SEQ ID         NO: 100);

SK68/SK69 (Ou et al. Science, 1988; 239: 295-297).

-   -   in gag: Amplicor Roche Diagnostics systems; nested gag primers         (Loussert-Ajaka et al. Lancet 1995; 346: 912-913); SK38/SK39 (Ou         et al., Science, 1988; 239: 295-297).     -   in pol: A/NE1 (Boucher et al., Lancet, 1990; 336: 585-590);         Pol3/Pol4 (Lauré et al., Lancet, 1988, ii, 538-541).

Only the PCRs carried out using the H Pol primers (4235/4538) are positive, with this being followed by a nested PCR using the primers 4327/4481 (Fransen et al., Molecular and Cellular Probes 1994; 8: 317-322). This H Pol fragment, which is located in the integrase (260 bp), has been sequenced. Amplification using the HPOL primers is made possible due to the excess of virus. This is because the DNA which is used is extracted from cells at the end of a strongly positive culture (reverse transcriptase>100,000 cpm). It is not possible to amplify the DNA which is extracted from fresh cells without coculture because of the large number of mispairings between the HPOL primers (especially in the 3′ region) and the sequence of the YBF30 isolate. Conservation of this 3′ end is very important for the extension activity of the Taq polymerase.

1—Sequence of the pol gene: the use of very degenerate primers for amplifying, by RT-PCR, the RNA extracted from the positive culture supernatant gave a positive amplification. These are primers which are common to all retroviruses (Donehower et al. J. Virol. Methods 1990; 28: 33-46), and are located in the reverse transcriptase region of the pol gene. Analysis of the fragment after sequencing made it possible to generate a specific primer, i.e. YRT2 (SEQ ID NO: 32), from the YBF30 isolate and to amplify the pol gene using the Hpol 4481 primer (Fransen et al., 1994, loc. cit.) as the antisense primer. The fragment was sequenced by synthesizing specific primers as required for each fragment generated (FIG. 1).

2—Sequence of the env gene: the second approach was to perform a long PCR (XL-PCR, Perkin Elmer), thereby amplifying all the virus (9000 bp) using primers situated in the LTR: LPBS1 (SEQ ID NO: 22); LSiGi, followed by a 6000 by nested PCR using YRT2 (SEQ ID NO: 32)/SK69, and to sequence all the envelope following the same procedure. The gp41 region was sequenced using a nested PCR and employing the primers SK68/LSiGi.

3—Sequence of the gag gene: use of a nested PCR, achieved by means of a long PCR (LPBS1/LSiGi), employing the primers Gag 5 and Gag 11i, and generating from this specific primers, as required, in order to walk along the viral genome.

VII—Results of the Sequencings

The strain YBF30 was sequenced completely (see list of sequences). The YBF31 strain of November 1995 was sequenced in part, and the absence of significant variation confirms the validity of the YBF30 sequences.

VIII—Synthesizing Peptides of the V3 Loop Region of the YBF30 Strain.

Studying the sequences of the V3 loop region made it possible to synthesize the corresponding peptide and to compare the amino acids of this region of the YBF30 strain with those of other M subtypes and O strains.

The sequences of the peptides are:

YBF30: SEQ ID NO: 58 CPZGAB SIV: CHRPGNNTRGEVQIGPGMTFYNIENVYGDTRSAYC (SEQ ID NO: 59) GROUP 0: CIRPGNRTYRNLQIGPGMTFYNVEIATGDIRKAFC (ANT70) (SEQ ID NO: 60) GROUP M: CTRPNNNTRKSVRIGPGQAFYATGDIIGDIRQAHC (SS-TYPE A) (SEQ ID NO: 61)

The peptide was synthesized, starting with the two asparagines of the 5′ region of the loop, and used in accordance with the same principle as previously described (see IV 4)), namely in competition in relation to the peptides of the M group, the O group and CPZGAB SIV. The results shown in Table IV confirm the original nature of this strain and the possible spread of these strains, since the serological results favour infection of the YBF30 type in Cameroon. Furthermore, a study of 200 selected HIV-1-positive sera from Cameroon provides evidence of a new case exhibiting a profile which is similar to that of YBF30.

TABLE IV Study of the reactivity of 200 sera Serum Origin V3A V3cpz V3YBF30 CP CSP 953371 Cameroon 1.66 0.38 1.39 0.39 1.64 956295 Cameroon 1.72 0.37 1.16 0.51 1.73 967321 Cameroon 0.07 0.17 0.5 0.05 0.27 Amandine GABSIV 1.74 0.14 1.48 0.19 1.74 NOA.* ANTSIV 2.66 0.31 1.88 0.46 1.9 *serum from CPZ ANT SIV

The reactivity of the sera 953371 and 956295, corresponding to the patient from whom the YBF30 strain was isolated, with the CPZ SIV peptide, was confirmed in this new test. The lower reactivity with regard to its own V3 antigen is usual during the late stages of the disease. Nevertheless, this reactivity remains greater than that raised with regard to the M peptide. Another Cameroonian patient (serum 967321) exhibits the same profile of peptide reactivity.

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As is evident from the above, the invention is in no way limited to those of its embodiments which have just been described more explicitly; on the contrary, it encompasses all the variants which may come to the mind of the skilled person without departing from the context or scope of the present invention. 

1. A method of diagnosing in vitro an HIV-1 virus of the non-M, non-O group by means of hybridization and/or gene amplification, which method is carried out using a biological sample (serum or circulating lymphocyte) and comprises: a step of extracting a nucleic acid which is to be detected and which belongs to the genome of the virus, which virus may possibly be present in the biological sample, and, optionally, a step of treating the nucleic acid using a reverse transcriptase, if this nucleic acid is in RNA form; at least one cycle comprising the steps of denaturing the nucleic acid, of hybridizing with at least one hybridizing nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 17 or 44 to 52 and, optionally, extending the hybrid, which has been formed, in the presence of DNA polymerase and dNTP, and a step of detecting the possible presence of the nucleic acid belonging to the genome of a virus of the non-M, non-O HIV-1 group type.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hybridizing nucleic acid is SEQ ID NO:
 17. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the hybridizing nucleic acid is SEQ ID NO:
 44. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the hybridizing nucleic acid is SEQ ID NO:
 45. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the hybridizing nucleic acid is SEQ ID NO:
 46. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the hybridizing nucleic acid is SEQ ID NO:
 47. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the hybridizing nucleic acid is SEQ ID NO:
 48. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the hybridizing nucleic acid is SEQ ID NO:
 49. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the hybridizing nucleic acid is SEQ ID NO:
 50. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the hybridizing nucleic acid is SEQ ID NO:
 51. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the hybridizing nucleic acid is SEQ ID NO:
 52. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid is hybridized with more than one hybridizing nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 17 or 44 to
 52. 